August 31, 2017

6 stunning laptops with 8th Generation Intel Core inside

We’ve already covered the benefits of Intel’s new 8th Generation Core processors in this post. So you probably already know that the new chips are faster (thanks to the addition of two extra cores), more power-efficient and 4K-optimised.

The i7-8650U, i7-8550U, i5-8350U and i5-8250U CPUs will initially appear in a wide range of ultra-lightweight Windows 10 laptops and 2 in 1 systems from the likes of Lenovo, HP, Samsung and Acer. Here are just a few examples of what you can expect.

Samsung Notebook 9
Samsung has announced that its Notebook 9 Pen model (aka Notebook 9 Pro) will be getting an 8th Generation upgrade. While this slick machine didn’t get a UK release, it’s a good indication of the sort of design and specification (a 13.3- or 15-inch 1920 x 1080 pixel display that folds back 180 degrees, up to 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage and a Core i7 processor) that you can expect from future laptops.

Acer Switch 7 Black Edition
The Acer Switch 7 is described as the “world’s first fanless 2-in-1 notebook equipped with discrete graphics.” Equipped with an 8th Generation Intel Core i7 processor, this slender detachable machine comes with a 13.5-inch, 2256 x 1504 pixel IPS display, GeForce MX150 graphics and a clever Acer AutoStand. Weighing a mere 1.15Kg without the keyboard, it also includes an embedded, Windows Ink-friendly stylus powered by Wacom EMR technology.

ASUS ZenBook Flip 14 UX461
This great-looking convertible is being pitched as the “the world’s thinnest 2-in-1 laptop with discrete graphics.” There’s lots to like — a 14-inch display that flip backs to turn the ZenBook into a tablet, the all aluminium design, a GeForce MX150 GPU and a quad-core 8th Generation Intel Core processor. Take a look at it in more detail by watching the video below.

HP Spectre x360
If you liked the look of the HP Spectre x360 2 in 1, then HP has quietly upgraded the spec of the 15-inch version to include a new Intel Core i7-8550U processor (1.8 GHz, up to 4 GHz, 8 MB cache, 4 cores). It only enhances a spec that already includes 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, a 4K (3840 x 2160 pixel) WLED screen and a Windows Ink-friendly HP Active Stylus Pen.

Dell XPS 13
Dell recently announced that its award-winning XPS 13 laptop (pictured top) is now up to “44% more powerful” with 8th Gen processors inside (and compared to 7th Gen models). It’s not the only hardware from Dell to get Intel’s newest CPUs either. In a flurry of announcements at this year’s IFA tech show, the new Inspiron 7000 2 in 1, available in 13- and 15-inch models, will also incorporate 8th Generation silicon, as will updated Inspiron 13 and 15 5000 2-in-1 machines.